Issue 11 - Motor Museum of WA

Issue 11
February 2016
Motor Museum adds to its collection of
scale models
Museum
Musings
A Newsletter
for Motor
Museum of
WA
Volunteers
The Motor Museum has been extremely fortunate to be
gifted a very rare and important collection of 1,248
Biante scale models along with display cabinets under
the Cultural Gifts Program. This generous donation will
significantly enhance our already substantial collection
of scale models. The overall total of the combined
collections will be in excess of 3,800 making it more
than likely the largest collection of scale models on
public display in Western Australia, if not the whole of
Australia.
Biante Models was the creation of Bev and Trevor
Young who were looking to improve their then model
car business (Triking Model Cars) in the early 1990s.
They set in motion an operation that often topped the
full-scale production totals of Ford and Holden in
Australia and turned over 194,000 model cars in a
single year.
While Triking was doing well with Matchbox
collectables, customers were asking for models from
Australian companies. Trevor travelled to China and
saw a Ford T ‘coin bank’ van which after some
modification of the coin slot to fit the Australian 50 cent
piece, became the basis of many local company liveries,
including 6000 pieces supplied to BP. These were
boxed and distributed under the Mint label. During
discussions with the manufacturer, Triking was offered
distribution rights for Kyosho diecast models, a new
line from Japan the company was then manufacturing.
Needing a shipping mark for importing, the name
Biante was born, phonetically - ‘B and T’ for Bev and
Trevor.
The next brand into the Biante stable was Minichamps
Models - based in Germany manufacturing highly
detailed European road and race cars. These were
made in China from a factory working exclusively for
Minichamps.
The break-through for Biante came with one of the
most iconic of all Australian cars, the Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III. Using the Chinese supplier, an initial
run of 6000 authentic to scale replicas, all with
numbered certificates, were keenly sought after and
sold within 36 hours of delivery from the supplier.
Continued page 2
Page2
Holden fans were also catered for with the LJ Torana, a suggestion from Peter Brock.
Biante had rapidly developed into a significant company at the forefront of the model
industry. The range and production runs under the Biante name increased as enthusiasts
came to appreciate the brand’s meticulous scale models of Aussie road cars, historic racers,
and V8 Supercars. The Company also sponsored motor racing in a number of categories,
including the growing race series for Historic Touring Cars, with Peter Brock in particular
carrying Biante logos on his competition cars.
Tragically, in 2005 Trevor became critically ill and passed away in 2006. Bev continued the
business for around two years but, approaching retirement age herself, eventually sold the
Company. Biante is still in business under its new management.
Bev, now Bev Margetts after remarrying, retained the holding company AGP Models which
owned the many pre-production and development models (this was necessary to ensure the
level of accuracy for authentic collectible replicas). The former business arrangement had
been that the models were, researched, developed, manufactured for and imported by AGP
Models, and the production models then on-sold to the distribution company Biante. AGP
had retained many of the pre-production models and manufacturer samples, including most
of the earliest, and had effectively created a large private collection.
The Motor Museum is extremely fortunate and honoured through the generosity of Bev
Margetts to be the recipient of this unique collection celebrating an iconic and significant
Western Australian Company and its many links to the motoring industry.
A dedicated group of volunteers recently carefully packed and transported the donated
models to a secure location where they will be catalogued and stored until they can be
appropriately displayed in the soon to be constructed extension to the Museum.
A big thankyou to the volunteers who put in a great effort on the day.
Left: Bev Margetts and
Peter Taylor pictured with
some of the donated models
in their cabinets
Below: volunteers at work
packing the models for
transportation
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Page 3
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Latest acquisition and exhibits
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A recent addition to the Museum’s exhibits is this 1968 Bentley T1 V8
saloon kindly on loan to the Motor Museum by the Hon Max Evans.
The Bentley T-Series was produced by Bentley Motors Limited in the United Kingdom from
1965 to 1980. It was announced and displayed for the first time at the Paris Motor Show on 5
October 1965 as a Bentley-badged version of the totally redesigned chassis-less Rolls-Royce
Silver Shadow.
The car is powered by a 6230 cc Rolls-Royce - Bentley V8 engine via an automatic four speed
transmission developing 205 BHP (150.88 KW) and is very nice to drive.
Just 1703 Bentley T1 saloons were built between 1965 and 1977. A very small number when
compared to in excess of 11,000 cars Bentley built across its range in 2014.
___________________________________________________________
You know, somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note
on the windscreen, it said "Parking Fine." ~Tommy Cooper
Page 4
Vespa Pedal Scooter
This quite rare Vespa pedal scooter was recently donated to the Motor Museum but
needed considerable restoration. The task was taken on by Museum volunteers and it is
now on display in the motorcycle section.
When the Museum extension is completed it is planned to display our extensive collection
of pedal cars and tricycles in the one dedicated area.
Above: On display.
Left: Under
restoration
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A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
Page 5
Side-valve English Fords
Motor Museum volunteer Rob de Burgh has provided the following
account of his long association with the iconic small side-valve English
Fords
My interest in small English cars goes back to my childhood and was rekindled after visiting a
car show at Waroona a few years ago. I became hooked when I saw the great line-up of 8-10
HP Ford vehicles displayed by the Classic English Ford Club of WA. So much so that in 2009
I acquired a 1950 Ford Prefect sedan and in 2011 my wife Lorraine and I crossed the Nullarbor
to attend the Club’s National Rally in Castlemaine, Victoria. Seventy small Fords took part in
that rally. In 2012 I was fortunate to come-by my 1953 Ford Anglia tourer and this took part
in our Club’s very successful 2015 National Rally held here in WA.
I have always loved these cars. The first motor vehicle I owned in my youth (other than a motor
bike) was a Ford Popular utility I acquired at the age of eighteen. It kept me out of the rain,
was simple to work on and kept me mobile during my apprenticeship with the WA
Government Railways. These small affordable side-valve Fords came in many guises,
including sedans, tourers and utilities in different configurations. They provided relatively
cheap and reliable transport for many families in those days.
The utility was capable of carrying a surprisingly heavy load and mine did so on many
occasions weighed down with fruit from our family farm and vineyard. However it is not
surprising that, when loaded, it was quite a skill to drive it in a straight line due to the
transverse spring suspension. The heavier the load the more challenging it became.
In 2014 I acquired a 1953 Ford Prefect utility that was in need of complete restoration. It is
now a work in progress and I am looking forward to one day having it on the road to revive the
great memories of the one I had all those years ago.
I have owned and driven many vehicles in my past; however, I find I am still attracted to the
small English Fords that provided so much for so little cost over the years.
Left to right: Rob’s 1953 Ford Anglia, 1950 Ford Prefect and 1953 Ford Prefect utility
under restoration
Editor’s note: Museum Musings is always on the lookout for interesting volunteers’ stories
like Rob’s. If you have an interesting tale about a vehicle you own, or perhaps an account of a
restoration you undertook (or are undertaking), Museum Musings would like to hear from
you.
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This conversion chart of unknown
origin was provided by Museum
volunteer Anil Weeratunge.
While it is surely meant to be tongue
in cheek, all too often some of these
interpretations have had a certain
ring of truth to them.
‘Tell me again what you said about
this car when you sold it to me last
week. I’m getting discouraged’
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This very nice Mark 2 Ford Zephyr was photographed somewhere in Perth in the early 1960’s.
Can anyone suggest the location? It is most likely that the streetscape will have changed
considerably over the past fifty years or so; however, the steep hill may give it away.
Page 7
The Museum’s Vanguard Ute is about to get a facelift.
Volunteers have been busily stripping down the Museum’s Vanguard Ute ready for painting
with the work to be carried out by students at the Carlisle Technical and Further Education
College (TAFE). The Utility was donated to the Museum some years ago and some minor
mechanical work was carried out at the time to make it roadworthy. In keeping with the
intention to bring it back to its former glory, the Ute will be faithfully repainted in its original
factory grey livery.
Left: The vanguard stripped
down and ready for painting
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THE COLOUR OF AUSTRALIAN UNLEADED PETROL
Have you noticed that 91 octane petrol is no longer red/orange in colour?
The Australian Institute of Petroleum (AIP) in conjunction with petrol manufacturing and
importing companies has decided to remove dye from unleaded petrol.
Apparently the reason for the change is to internationally align with other countries where
petrol is not dyed. The removal of dye from unleaded petrol is said to assist suppliers who
import fuels from international refineries. Currently around 20% of Australia’s petrol supplies
are imported and this proportion is expected to increase in future.
Red/orange coloured petrol may still be on sale at some outlets because it is anticipated that
the transition will take up to 12 months.
You may wonder if any savings gained by the fuel companies will be passed on to consumers.
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Sunday February 7- Annual Perth to Armadale Veteran Run.
Bob Beams, Garry Robins and Kelvin
Ferris pictured with the Museum’s entries
in the Run - 1912 Ford T and 1917 Detroit
Electric
Museum volunteer Maurice McGregor and
partner Rosemary with their 1914 Ford T
Page 8
For Sale
On sale and always available at the Motor Museum is a comprehensive range of Penrite
lubrication products to suit older vehicles.
For sale: 1960 Studebaker Hawk
on display at the Motor Museum
Contact Ian Corrans on 9 297 3960
or 042 947 6781
For sale: 1982 Elcamino Utility/Pickup
Contact Peter Taylor on 0417 456 548
Wanted
A recommended person to rebuild the Museum’s website.
Display mannequins, particularly youths. Ideally male and female both in standing and sitting
positions.
Old style vintage clothing and hats, shoes etc. to suit various fashion eras, both male and
female, including older style uniforms with a motoring heritage.
Coming Events
Sunday March 19 – Brookton Old Time Motor Show
Sunday April 17 - Whiteman Park Classic Car Show.
Sunday May 15 - National Motoring Heritage Day.
Friday July 8 – CMC Quiz Night
Sunday July 17 – VCC Auto Jumble
Late News: Great news! -the lease for both the new Museum building along
with the existing building has been signed off by the Government allowing the
next stage of the project to finally move forward. More information will be
provided in the Museum Musings as the project progresses.